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FEMA Map Change Information and Public Meetings

flood-insurance-map The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has completed a multi-year project to re-examine Fairfax County’s flood zones and produce detailed digital flood hazard maps. In some cases, the existing flood zone boundaries have been modified. The preliminary updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which reflect the flood risk based on the latest data, have been released for public review. As a result, property owners throughout the County will have up-to-date, internet-accessible information about flood risk to their properties.

Status Update: September 2026

In May 2026, Fairfax County met with FEMA consultants to discuss an appeal regarding the revised Preliminary FIRM panels for a portion of Tripps Run. On September 25, 2026, FEMA issued a resolution letter, initiating a 30-day comment period. If no comments are received during this period, the appeal will be considered final. Following this, FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination (LFD), after which the County will have six months to adopt the study. The status of FIRM projects in Region 3 is available online at FEMA Region 3 FIRM Active Projects.

The County notified the owners of all structures where the flood risk will change (either increase or decrease) based on the preliminary FIRMs. The County held a series of virtual public meetings (via Zoom) to provide more information on the proposed changes and respond to questions from residents. The meetings were grouped by designated county watersheds. If you are unsure which watershed your property is in, please see Find Your Watershed to find your location. Registration was required to attend the public meetings. Residents were encouraged to register for the meeting corresponding to the watershed for the property of concern. Each meeting lasted 1.5 hours, with a 45- minute presentation followed by 45 minutes Q&A.

Meeting #1

Date	Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Time	7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Watersheds	Bull Neck Run, Dead Run, Difficult Run, Nichol Run, Horsepen Creek, Pimmit Run, Pond Branch, Scotts Run, Sugarland Run and Turkey Run
Meeting Recording	FEMA Flood Insurance Risk Map Change Public Meeting #1

Meeting #2

Date	Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Time	7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Watersheds	Cameron Run and Four Mile Run
Meeting Recording	FEMA Flood Insurance Risk Map Change Public Meeting #2 (Passcode: 8E$%YJqn)

Meeting #3

Date	Tuesday, February 08, 2022
Time	7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Watersheds	Belle Haven, Dogue Creek and Little Hunting Creek
Meeting Recording	FEMA Flood Insurance Risk Map Change Public Meeting #3 (Passcode: x98Z5!of)

Meeting #4

Date	Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Time	7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Watersheds	Accotink Creek, Bull Run, Cub Run, High Point, Johnny Moore Creek, Kane Creek, Little Rocky Run, Mill Branch, Occoquan, Old Mill Branch, Pohick Creek, Pope Head Creek, Ryans Dam, Sandy Run and Wolf Run
Meeting Recording	FEMA Flood Insurance Risk Map Change Public Meeting #4 (Passcode: Ln?5!+hb)

Please note the updated maps are still in preliminary stage, and may change when the final maps are issued. If the structure on your property is in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) shown on the final FIRMs and if it has a federally backed mortgage, you will be subject to mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements.

FEMA initiated their 1^st appeal process on April 22, 2022. The County evaluated all comments and appeals that were received using existing information and conducted additional field investigations and surveys. Where warranted, additional analyses were completed to provide supporting technical information for appeals. All valid appeals were compiled and submitted to FEMA on July 22, 2022. The appeal period is now closed.

FEMA issued a revised preliminary FIRM with a 30-day comment period on August 30, 2024. FEMA expects to open the 2^nd 90-day appeal period sometime in January 2025. FEMA has not committed to a date for the Letter of Final Determination (LFD), but the County expects to receive the LFD sometime in latter half of 2025. The County will adopt the revised FIRM within six months of receiving the LFD. For any questions related to the revised preliminary submission, please email femachange@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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Status Update: September 2026

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